Thousands of acres are scheduled to be burned next week as U.S. Forest Service crews look to reduce potentially hazardous fuels from the Black Hills National Forest.

According to a news release, officials plan to light several large slash piles near Rapid City beginning next Monday, Jan. 5, and continue through the week. Fire crews will be burning areas along S.D. Highway 44 near Falling Rock and Hisega, and also near Sheridan Lake and Boulder Hill roads.

Terry Tompkins of the Mystic Ranger District said travelers should expect "30 foot to 50 foot flame lengths and heavy smoke" from the piles for the first hour or two. He added that it is important to burn the piles now before they become a fire hazard over the summer.

Signs will be posted on roads surrounding the burn areas to notify people that prescribed burns are in progress. Crews will also notify surround areas before lighting the fires.